After Jiajing took over the hoe and plowed the land symbolically twice, the sacrificial ceremony came to a successful conclusion. Jiajing then rode the dragon chariot and returned to the Yangxin Hall.
On the way back to the court, many ministers gathered together and began to discuss what they had seen and heard at the previous sacrificial ceremony.
"Let me tell you, from my position I can see the Fangze Altar clearly. When His Majesty was praying to God, I vaguely saw a pair of big hands gently caressing His Majesty's head."
One of the officials lowered his voice when he saw no one around.
"Humph, aren't you talking nonsense? Your Majesty is the current Saint King, and you will definitely be favored by God!"
A stooped official stroked his gray beard and said angrily.
"Few emperors in the past dynasties have been able to accomplish such a feat. Your Majesty is truly the destined emperor. If I can see Your Majesty up close at any time, it will be worth my life to die!"
…
Forbidden City, Hall of Nourishing Heart.
After Jiajing got off the dragon chariot, he looked at the familiar palace in front of him and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Phew, it's finally over."
Even Jiajing was exhausted mentally and physically by this extremely complicated sacrificial process. This was despite greatly simplifying the process. If it were carried out according to the original sacrificial process, it would probably consume more energy.
Jiajing was just about to step up the steps when he saw Lu Fang coming up quickly and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, please go in and rest for a while. Your servant has prepared tea and snacks for you in advance."
"Well, not bad, this sacrificial ceremony is finally over, and I can also change out of my sacrificial clothes. These clothes are really uncomfortable!"
After Jiajing finished speaking, he looked at the sacrificial clothes he was wearing and couldn't help but sigh.
"Your Majesty has been working hard for the country's affairs and has worked so hard. I hope that your Majesty will take care of your dragon body!"
After Lu Fang finished speaking, he followed Jiajing's steps step by step and said softly.
After Jiajing changed out of his sacrificial robes into his usual Taoist robes, he sat on the table and began to enjoy the pastries.
Jiajing picked up a piece of pastry and put it into his mouth. With just a slight sip, the pastry spread completely. A fragrant and slightly sweet taste spread in his mouth, and his mood improved a lot.
"Lu Fang, there are so many pastries that I can't finish by myself. Please sit down and eat together."
Jiajing said, pointing to the dazzling array of pastries with different flavors placed in front of him, and said.
"Your Majesty, how dare you, a slave and a lowly person, be with Your Majesty..."
Before Lu Fang finished speaking, Jiajing interrupted impatiently: "You can eat what I tell you to eat, why are you talking so much nonsense? If you don't eat so many pastries, they will be wasted by then!"
"Slave, thank you for your grace!"
After Lu Fang finished speaking, he found a seat and sat down, then slowly picked up a piece of pastry and put it into his mouth.
"How's it going? Does it taste good?"
Jiajing picked up the teacup on the side, took a sip, and asked.
"Your Majesty, this pastry is very delicious. This is the first time in my life that this slave has eaten such delicious pastry!"
After hearing Jiajing's question, Lu Fang quickly answered respectfully.
"Since it's delicious, give me some more. Anyway, if you can't finish these pastries, they will be thrown away!"
After Jiajing finished speaking, he put down the tea cup in his hand and said.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey."
After Lu Fang finished speaking, he continued.
Neither of them spoke anymore, just concentrating on enjoying the pastries in front of them.
"Your Majesty, Mr. Yan Ge wants to see you."
At this moment, the guards outside Yangxin Hall came in to report.
"Oh, Mr. Yan Ge is here, let him in quickly!"
After Jiajing heard the guard's report, he was overjoyed and quickly asked the guard to announce his entry.
After a while, Yan Song stepped onto the steps of the Yangxin Hall step by step with the support of the eunuch.
As soon as Yan Song stepped into the Yangxin Hall, Jiajing's voice came over: "Old Yan Ge is here, come sit down and eat together."
As soon as Jiajing finished speaking, a eunuch brought a seat for Yan Song.
Yan Song looked at the various dazzling pastries on the table and couldn't help but feel hungry. For today's sacrificial ceremony, all the ministers have been waiting for His Majesty's arrival near Fangze Altar since Yin Shi! In order not to be disrespectful to the emperor, no one ate anything and only hung on some ginseng soup.
"Wei Chen obeys your orders!"
After Yan Song finished speaking, he sat down on his seat and began to taste these pastries.
Yan Song ate very slowly, as if he wanted to keep the taste of these pastries in his heart.
"How do Mr. Yan Ge think these pastries taste?"
Seeing that Yan Song had almost finished eating, Jiajing turned his eyes to Yan Song and said calmly.
"Your Majesty, this is the most delicious cake I have ever eaten in my life!"
When Yan Song saw Jiajing asking questions, he quickly stood up from his seat and said slowly.
"Yan Song, are you from Yuanzhou Prefecture?"
"Your Majesty, it is true that Weichen was born in Yijie Bridge Village, Fenyijie Bridge, Yuanzhou Prefecture." After hearing the emperor's question, Yan Song did not dare to conceal it, but told the truth.
"I heard before that your ancestors were generous. Tell me about it?" Jiajing said, looking very interested in this matter.
"Wei Chen obeys your orders!"
Yan Song sighed helplessly and began to tell Jiajing about the family into which he was born.
"Weichen was born in a declining family. The great ancestor of my Yan family was named Yan Mengheng. He once held a second-rank official position. He was an honest and upright man. Because he often ate green vegetables when eating, he was called Yan Qingcai."
"Later, when he died, because the family property was too small, our family later filled six boxes of stones and transported them back to our hometown to make a scene."
"I was still young at the time. When my father told me about this incident, I just thought it was quite ridiculous. After all, Gaozu was a second-rank official. How could he be reduced to this?"
"Weichen has been taught by his father since he was a child. He often taught me that if I have the opportunity to be an official in the future, I must think more about the people. The lives of the people are too hard!"
"My father is a scholar, but he never passed the examination in his whole life. It is precisely because of his father's teachings that I, Yan Song, am today."
As Yan Song talked, he fell into memories. In the impression, his father always had a serious look. Every time he ate, he would always keep the best for himself. When he passed the county examination when he was ten years old, , the gratified and complicated expression on his father’s face when he passed the examination at the age of nineteen...
When Yan Song came back to his senses, the corners of his eyes were already wet.
"Wei Chen has behaved inappropriately before you, please forgive me!"
Yan Song wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and bowed to Jiajing.
"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. I didn't expect Mr. Yan Ge to have such a rough life experience."
Jiajing waved his hand, indicating that he didn't care.
Then Yan Song cleared his throat and asked Jiajing: "Your Majesty, the sacrificial ceremony is over now, and the spring plowing in the south is coming soon. Wei Chen wants to officially implement the conversion of rice to mulberry in Zhejiang immediately!"
After listening to Yan Song's request, Jiajing pondered for a moment and then ordered: "Well, let's start implementing it after Hu Zongxian and the others come back! In addition, let neighboring provinces also prepare food in case of emergencies."
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
Seeing that his suggestion was adopted by the emperor, Yan Song immediately knelt on the ground and said respectfully.
"Well, Mr. Yan Ge, I hope you can be sincere and implement the change of rice to mulberry."
Jiajing turned his gaze to Yan Song and warned lightly.
"Wei Chen will definitely live up to His Majesty's trust. Wei Chen will definitely die because of Your Majesty's heart and brains!"
Yan Song said it and bowed again.
(End of chapter)
