Read Novel Full Chapter 476: Secret Letter
Chapter 476: Secret Letter
While the Emperor was contemplating his next move, Qian Kun was delighted.
“Your Majesty, this subject requests your permission to visit De Long City and meet with the Duke of Zhenguo personally.”
The moment he heard this, Emperor Tianwu narrowed his eyes and asked, “Why do you want to meet him?”
Qian Kun had spent more than 40 years trying to find a new method to cultivate better crops and increase the yield during harvest.
At this moment, his mind was only focused on what method the Duke of Zhenguo used to achieve such a high yield. So, he didn’t notice the Emperor’s suspicions at all.
“Replying to Your Majesty, this subject wishes to ask the Duke of Zhenguo about the method he uses to increase the yield. If we can learn the method, the commoners will be able to get a good harvest next year, and we no longer have to worry about food shortages.”
Thinking about the old man’s previous words, Emperor Tianwu nodded. For him, this was a good thing. If the commoners had a good harvest, then they would be able to pay the tax in full.
Although they could pay the tax by doing hard labor, the Imperial Court didn’t need so much labor. What they needed was grain and money.
The Emperor considered the pros and cons for a while before he said, “Granted.”
As soon as he heard this, Qian Kun knelt and bowed to him. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Since they had finished discussing the tax matter, the Emperor waved his hand, signaling them to leave.
Both Yu Wenzhou and Qian Kun bowed to him and said in unison, “This subject will take his leave first.”
After they left, the Emperor reread the report and said, “Xiao Tuanzi, do you think Zhen can trust them?”
The moment he heard this, the Chief Eunuch broke in a cold sweat. He didn’t dare answer this question, but not answering was also not an option.
So, he bent his waist and replied softly, “Your Majesty is wise and brilliant. It is Lord Yu and Lord Qian’s honor to be used by Your Majesty.”
Although he replied to the Emperor, his answer was equal to not answering.
He said that they were honored to be used by the Emperor. As for whether the Emperor could trust them or not, that was another matter.
Using his subjects and trusting them were two different matters. So, even if the Emperor didn’t trust them, as long as they were useful, it was enough.
When he heard his reply, Emperor Tianwu dropped the topic and continued reading the memorials.
Seeing that the Emperor stopped talking, the Chief Eunuch heaved a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Yu Wenzhou and Qian Kun walked out of the Imperial Palace together. Despite no one being around them, they didn’t talk to each other.
It was only after they left the Five Phoenix Tower that they finally exchanged some words.
“Lord Qian, thank you for your help,” Yu Wenzhou said as he bowed to the old man.
Qian Kun took a step aside to avoid his bow and replied, “Lord Yu, I only told the Emperor the truth.”
After a moment of pause, he added in a hushed voice, “If something happens to me during my trip to De Long City, I hope that Lord Yu could protect my family.”
Hearing this, Yu Wenzhou’s expression turned solemn.
He understood that with the Emperor’s suspicious nature, even after Qian Kun successfully learned the method of improving the harvest yield, he would be put in a dangerous situation.
Before the Emperor solidified his imperial power, he had removed a lot of the previous Emperor’s supporters. Even those who were loyal to him were sacrificed.
From that alone, one would know that Emperor Tianwu was someone who would cook the hounds when the hares were killed.
After a moment of silence, Yu Wenzhou said, “Lord Qian, if something happens, I will do my best to protect your family.”
When he heard his promise, Qian Kun finally smiled and nodded. Both of them parted without further words.
At 9 o’clock in the morning, Yu Wenzhou arrived at his office. Thanks to the Minister of Revenue, who pushed all of his work onto him, his desk was piled high with documents and reports.
He was used to the workload and started reading the reports as soon as he took his seat.
As usual, most of the documents were from other ministries asking for money. It only took him several minutes to finish reading each document, and he used less than 5 minutes to write each reply.
It was noon when he finally opened the letter placed at the bottom. The moment he read the sender’s name, his eyes flickered for a moment.
This report was from his disciple, Zhou Xian, the Magistrate of Wei County. Although he was only a 5th-rank official, the area under his jurisdiction included the White Tiger Army’s barracks and Lu Qianxuan’s mansion.
Since no one knew about his relationship with Zhou Xian, they rarely contacted each other. For his disciple to send him a letter disguised as a report, something important must have happened there.
With this thought, he opened the letter and read it.
His disciple was someone who disliked wasting time. So, his letter was straight to the point.
“Greetings, Master.
There is a newly opened restaurant in Zhu’an town called Yu Feng Pavilion.
This disciple had sent people to investigate the background of the owner and found out that this restaurant had a connection with the Marquis of Zhongyong. But this disciple failed to find out anything regarding the owner.
Despite its connection with the Marquis, this restaurant’s workers never had contact with the people from the General’s mansion.
They also sell various dishes, drinks, and pastries known as health-preserving dishes that could cure illness and prolong lifespan. The number of dishes sold daily is limited, and the price is high.
This disciple already investigated the source of the ingredients but found nothing. So far, we only know that the ingredients were prepared by the owner of the restaurant personally.
Master, this disciple feels that we might be able to find the solution to the crisis of the Great Yan Kingdom from the restaurant’s owner.
Should we inform the Emperor or contact the restaurant’s manager first?”