Chapter 41: Can Pastries Really Ruin a Nation?

Luodu, North City Gate.

Just past the mid-morning hour, the area in front of the notice board was packed with people.

"My Lady, this Emperor of the Great Zhou is truly peculiar. Why is he insistent on choosing concubines from foreign lands instead of prioritizing the citizens of his own country? And to make matters worse, he’s actually charging money for domestic women to participate in the selection process. Who has ever heard of such an emperor?" Xiao Die, staring at the placard, grumbled to Yue Yao.

Yue Yao remained silent for a moment, the corners of her mouth curling upward slightly. "On the contrary, I am increasingly convinced that he is a wise monarch." Her eyes were filled with nothing but admiration as she spoke.

"My Lady, have you lost your mind? How can this be considered the behavior of a wise monarch?"

Yue Yao smiled. "Think about it. What the Emperor is doing right now is precisely consolidating his own power and neutralizing the vassal kings and the nobility. If he were to select women from the Great Zhou, regardless of their background, there is a risk they could become spies for others. Even worse, if one of them were to gain his favor, the factions behind her would see their influence grow, undermining the Emperor's grand plan. By choosing to marry into foreign lands, he is effectively forming alliances—this is proof of his great ambition!"

Xiao Die wore a look of half-understanding. After ruminating on Yue Yao’s words, a new question immediately surfaced. "Then, My Lady, should we ask the Master to send a suitable woman from our side to the Great Zhou to enter the palace as a concubine?"

At Xiao Die's suggestion, Yue Yao’s face flushed slightly, as if she had thought of something, but she masked it well, instantly returning to her composed self. "That goes without saying. However, I have not yet decided whom to recommend. It is a major affair, and it requires careful deliberation to ensure the best outcome."

Even as she spoke, Yue Yao was secretly pondering. Such a remarkable man—the Emperor of the Great Zhou—is destined for greatness. What kind of woman could possibly be worthy of him? Even someone like myself would likely be only barely his equal. It is a pity...

While she was lost in thought, Xiao Die’s voice rang out again. "My Lady, that’s not right!"

Startled by her exclamation, Yue Yao’s train of thought came to a sudden halt. "What is not right?"

Xiao Die hurriedly explained, "According to your logic, if vassal kings and nobles could plant people in the palace to work against him, why wouldn't the Emperor simply ban them outright instead of letting them pay to enter? I think he’s just greedy for wealth and lust, convinced that because he is the Emperor, everyone must bow to his whims!"

Hearing this, Yue Yao couldn't help but chuckle softly, her expression filled with reverence for Li Chen. "Think about it: if someone is willing to pay to enter the palace, aside from being a potential spy, what else could it mean?"

"What else could it mean?"

Xiao Die tilted her head, pondering for a long time without finding an answer. Seeing this, Yue Yao continued to explain, "It could be someone who is truly loyal to the Emperor, or someone who is genuinely willing to sacrifice for the nation! His actions may seem absurd, but in reality, he is killing three birds with one stone. He avoids unnecessary trouble, identifies both the treacherous and the loyal, and strengthens his own position. Most importantly, he manages to secure a significant amount of wealth to replenish the national treasury. If those vassal kings want to plant spies, they have to pay—and likely a hefty sum at that. If he were truly acting only for his own indulgence, why would he go to such lengths?"

Xiao Die’s eyes lit up. Looking back at the imperial proclamation, her gaze now held a touch of admiration. "My Lady, with such an emperor, won't the Great Zhou usher in a new golden age in a few years?"

At that moment, the two women were unaware that Li Chen—the man they viewed as a future sage-king—was already plotting his next decree.

...

Imperial Palace, Royal Study.

"The previous antics with stockings and dancing have already brought me rewards that cover everything imaginable. But whether it’s cars, sodas, pistols, or special skills, finding ways to continue sabotaging the national fortune is no simple task. And looking at the current trend, it seems the more the national fortune declines, the higher-end and more useful the rewards become. I wonder, if I use these pastries to stir up a wave of extravagance, will it grant me an invincible martial art?"

Li Chen muttered to himself, his eyes fixed on the dazzling array of pastries before him. The offerings from the vassal kings and ministers had just arrived. Initially, Li Chen had assumed that the limitations of this era meant these people wouldn't have much variety, but upon seeing the pastries, his confidence soared.

"Someone! Tell the Imperial Kitchen that they are forbidden from making any of the categories of pastries currently here! Tell them that within three days—no, within one day—they must produce at least ten new types of pastries for me! Remember, they must be refined, designed to showcase the grandeur of the imperial house and the uniqueness of our Great Zhou! No more of this small-minded, common stuff!"

The attendant at the door dared not delay. However, before she could take a few steps, she ran into a group of officials coming to see Li Chen. Not long after, the message was relayed back to the Emperor.

Upon hearing that more officials had arrived, Li Chen was overjoyed. It was as if he had been provided a pillow just as he grew sleepy. He had been racking his brain over how to ruin the national fortune, and these people had delivered themselves right to his doorstep.

The Great Zhou was currently besieged by enemies, and internally, he had already moved to cancel the imperial examinations, open up brothels, and overhaul the tax system. By all rights, the officials and the public should have revolted by now. Yet, these people seemed as patient as tortoises, enduring until now without stirring up trouble. But this time, the concubine selection and the pastry issue had clearly struck a nerve. As long as these people opened their mouths, he would find an excuse to have someone flogged. How could his reputation as a dissolute tyrant not be cemented then?

Thinking of this, Li Chen immediately issued an order for them to be brought in. However, when he saw that the highest-ranking person among them was Zhang Cong, his interest waned slightly.

"My dear ministers, have you come to offer pastries?"

If there was no conflict, he would create one. Li Chen didn't believe they could hear such a remark without saying something. Sure enough, hearing Li Chen’s words, Zhang Cong’s expression shifted instantly. He had a short temper, and usually, others would dissuade him, but with no one around to hold him back, he had no need to endure.

"Your Majesty! We have come to plead with you to stop these absurd actions! You are the sovereign of a nation; how can you covet such trivial pleasures, even demanding that vassal kings and officials present you with pastries?"

No sooner had Zhang Cong finished speaking than a pastry flew through the air and struck him.

"Zhang Cong, you are bold indeed! What do you mean by this? Are you implying that I am a tyrant? I am the monarch of this nation—what is wrong with enjoying some pastries? Furthermore, is this not a way to share joy with the people?"

Though Zhang Cong was a man of integrity, being intimidated by the Emperor left him slightly flustered. In the crowd, Cai Jing, who had been watching the spectacle, suddenly hit upon a plan. *Since the Emperor likes pastries, why don't I fan the flames and cause even greater chaos? That will make things much easier for my master!*

Cai Jing stepped forward. "Your Majesty, if this is truly about sharing joy with the people, it seems insufficient to demand them only from the vassal kings, the nobility, and us officials."

Just as Zhang Cong prepared to agree, Cai Jing changed his tone. "To truly share joy with the people, we should also levy these requirements upon the commoners. Only then will you truly know what kind of pastries the people eat!"

Li Chen’s eyes lit up instantly. What Cai Jing suggested was precisely his second-phase plan. He had been wondering how to bring it up, and now someone had served it to him on a silver platter!

"That makes sense. We can even distribute some pastries to the common people so they can taste what the royal household enjoys!"

Hearing this, Zhang Cong felt his vision go dark, but it was already too late to stop it. Cai Jing, secretly delighted, hurried to build upon Li Chen’s words.

"Your Majesty is sagacious! In this way, we can expand this initiative across the entire nation, letting the whole country participate. Perhaps we might even make a tidy profit to replenish the national treasury!"

Hearing this, Li Chen felt like hugging Cai Jing and kissing him. This was exactly the kind of "capable minister" he needed! The front lines were still at war, yet he was busy with this. If the national fortune didn't plummet after this, it would be a total failure!