A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 897: Surprise

Li Shengan was scared stiff.

Upon hearing it was good news, the cold sweat on his back retreated.

He quickly wiped his forehead.

"Emperor, it’s..." What?

Zhao Junyao, however, didn’t bother with him and directly gave an order.

"Summon Minister of Revenue Zhang Yan to see me immediately!"

After speaking, he flicked his robe and turned to sit down on the dragon throne.

Li Shengan didn’t have time to think about anything else and quickly complied.

"Your servant obeys the order!"

After speaking, he went to deliver the decree.

He waited for about two quarters of an hour.

Minister of Revenue Zhang Yan hurried over with a large belly.

"Greetings, Emperor!"

Zhao Junyao, in high spirits, waved his hand.

"Zhang, my beloved official, no need for formalities, rise!"

"Thank you, Emperor!"

Zhang Yan thanked him before laboriously getting up.

The Minister of Revenue, although not considered a lucrative post.

Still, he is the chief steward managing the people’s wealth and grain of the court, so the perks are indeed substantial.

Therefore...

After so many years of diligent overeating.

His belly was like that of a pregnant woman in the seventh or eighth month, jiggling with every step.

Zhao Junyao looked twice with interest and casually asked.

"This belly of yours... has gained another ten pounds, huh?"

Zhang Yan stroked his sparse beard, somewhat embarrassed.

"Forgive my appearance, Emperor!"

Zhao Junyao didn’t have time for idle chatter and tossed the memorial from Yongzhou over to him.

"Take a look!"

"Yes!"

Zhang Yan took the memorial and quickly opened it with his thick, meaty hands.

Though Zhang Yan loved eating, drinking, and women.

His competence in his duties was commendable.

Otherwise, Zhao Junyao wouldn’t have kept him as a minister for so long, right?!

Besides, when it comes to being an official.

At the rank of a second-grade official, who doesn’t have a hobby?

If there truly were such impeccable officials in all aspects.

Zhao Junyao wouldn’t dare use them.

Such people are either genuinely pure-hearted and willing to sacrifice everything for the court and the people.

Or, they are too shrewd, concealing too deeply.

The first kind he had never encountered in his twenty years of life.

The second kind, he had seen plenty.

So...

Officials with minor flaws but not overly shrewd can make good officials.

Sure enough.

After reading the memorial, Zhang Yan’s face was full of surprise.

Even his eyes, squeezed into slits by fat, widened a bit.

"Emperor, this... Is this true?!" he asked excitedly.

Zhao Junyao shot him a cool glance and replied leisurely.

"What do you think?"

Zhang Yan spun around on the spot in excitement.

His cheeks puffed in and out, and after a while, he rubbed his hands and said.

"Emperor, if this is true, then the people of the Great Chu Dynasty are blessed indeed!"

"This memorial is sent from Northwestern Yongzhou!"

"Emperor, I wish to know, who is this official with such innovative ideas!"

"To be able to grow crops in such a barren, harsh land truly commands respect, such deep respect!"

Zhao Junyao smiled faintly.

"It’s said to be an idea from a local County Magistrate. But as for who exactly, I can’t be sure yet; we still have to wait for the Ministry of Personnel’s evaluation!"

In fact, he already had an answer in his heart.

This matter... is probably the handiwork of that young man.

If it truly is him, that would be fantastic!

He is Qingqing’s younger brother.

With this achievement, she has added leverage.

Will she not have the confidence to take another step forward in the future?!

Thinking this, Zhao Junyao became lost in thought.

Zhang Yan, not having discovered the person’s identity, felt somewhat disappointed.

This person, able to find crops suitable for the Northwest, must be a learned and talented individual!

He should not remain unrecognized.

Such talent should be brought into the Ministry of Revenue to benefit the people!

With this thought, he proposed.

"Emperor, why wait for the Ministry of Personnel’s slow evaluation!"

"Why not let me send someone to investigate who it truly is?!"

"If he really is knowledgeable, he should be nurtured to benefit more people!"

Though these words carried a personal gain, they were also heartfelt.

The best resources should indeed be used wisely, right?

Zhao Junyao seemed to be waiting for this suggestion.

He nodded immediately.

"Good! You must find out quickly; I also want to know who possesses such skills!"

Zhang Yan expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you, Emperor, for your trust! I will certainly not let you down!"

Zhao Junyao nodded in satisfaction.

The two then discussed further.

Planning to quickly distribute this batch of crops to more people in harsh regions.

And also draft an imperial edict encouraging all officials to learn from this County Magistrate.

To proactively innovate and seek the well-being of the people.

Of course, the edict was still blank.

After all, the person has yet to be identified!

...

After returning that day.

Zhang Yan immediately sent people on fast horses to Yongzhou to verify the facts.

The first task was to see if what was written in the memorial was true.

Is the crop really as good as described? Can it serve both as a vegetable and a staple food?

The second task was to find that County Magistrate.

To prepare for bringing him to the Ministry of Revenue for a position in the future.

Facts proved.

Though Zhang Yan was rotund, his competence was indeed excellent.

In just about ten days, news came from the Northwest.

"First, the crop is real. It’s a root of a plant, soil-yellow, round, and quite large, enough to stave off hunger, with one feeding a person for a meal!"

"Second, the person is real. His name is Xia Jingfeng, serving as a County Magistrate in a small county in Northwestern Yongzhou; he discovered this crop!"

When the news reached Zhao Junyao’s ears.

He excitedly closed his eyes, clenched his fist, and gritted his teeth.

"As expected, it’s him!"

"Xia Jingfeng, you have indeed not disappointed me!"

However, upon receiving the news, Zhang Yan was far from calm.

This person valued talent above all.

So when he shamelessly asked for the person in the Imperial Study Room, Zhao Junyao wasn’t surprised at all.

He looked at Zhang Yan, full of thirst for talent.

And reconsidered, ultimately denying the request.

"No way!"

"Emperor! I truly value this young talent, I beg you..."

"Begging won’t work either!" Zhao Junyao interrupted him mercilessly.

"A country has its laws, a family its rules!"

"Officials’ promotions are evaluated by the Ministry of Personnel, with each term lasting three years!"

"No matter how urgent you are, you must wait for his term to finish. Moreover, even if his term finishes, his path of promotion follows rules!"

"Everything must adhere to regulations!"

Xia Jingfeng’s words before leaving.

Zhao Junyao hadn’t forgotten.

’From the people, back to the people!’

Therefore, wherever he wants to go, Zhao Junyao wishes to respect his own choice!

Seeing no hope.

Zhang Yan’s eyes were filled with disappointment, head lowered, with long drooping chins!

Even Zhao Junyao couldn’t bear to look at it.

"Alright, alright, at least wait until his term ends and he returns to the capital to report."

"As long as he’s willing, I’ll help you bring him over, how about that?!"