Chapter 110: Full of Praise
“Hmm... this roasted sweet potato has a unique and delightful flavor!” Li Shimin savored it thoughtfully, praising the roasted sweet potato without reservation.
“Such a delicious delicacy, Father—do you know where it comes from?”
“You grew it?” Li Shimin guessed immediately.
A few months ago, he had received a report from the Imperial Guards about a batch of sweet potatoes planted in the backyard of the Lizheng Hall. Based on the description, they matched the ones before him now.
“Ah?” Li Zhi was quite surprised. “Father, how did you find out?”
“Just by chance. Zhi’er, you came back to the capital only to present sweet potatoes to your father? Surely there’s more to it?”
“Hehe... there’s something else, a little matter.”
“I knew it!”
Li Shimin finished the sweet potato, wiping his mouth with great satisfaction. “Speak then, what is it you want from your father?”
“No rush...” Li Zhi replied evasively.
“Is the sweet potato tasty?” Li Zhi asked.
“Delicious!”
“Then, Father, how much do you think a sweet potato like this should cost?”
This question stumped Li Shimin.
Such fragrant roasted sweet potatoes, comparable to a state banquet’s standards—how could they be cheap?
Nobody had ever sold them before.
What price should be set?
“How about twenty qian?” Li Shimin suggested.
“Hahaha...” Li Zhi laughed heartily.
Twenty qian for one sweet potato?
Li Shimin was valuing sweet potatoes far too highly. At that time in the Tang Dynasty, three qian of Kaiyuan Tongbao coins could buy one jin of millet. Twenty qian could buy seven jins!
One sweet potato equal to seven jins of rice?
Tsk tsk...
Li Zhi said, “I have a large stock of sweet potatoes, only selling at one qian per jin. Father, how many would you like?”
Li Shimin’s eyes glazed over, momentarily lost in thought.
***
Leaving aside how good the sweet potato tasted, the mere fact that it was so cheap made it absolutely worth promoting.
“Wait... you just said one qian per jin, not one qian per piece?” Li Shimin asked excitedly.
“Yes! Father, you heard correctly—one qian per jin!”
At this, Chancellor Zhangsun Wuji, standing nearby, remarked, “Isn’t that too cheap? Even millet costs three qian per jin. At one qian per jin, the common people would surely buy it all up.”
Even if sweet potatoes weren’t the best food, they could fill bellies.
To the commoners, they were no different from millet.
Moreover, sweet potatoes were a rare delicacy, even better than millet.
Li Shimin was about to say this, but Zhangsun Wuji interrupted, “Minister Zhangsun speaks wisely. Zhi’er, where did the seeds for these sweet potatoes come from? What about the yield?”
“Well, the yield...” Li Zhi smiled, bringing Luotong closer. “Father, you can ask Luotong, he knows better!”
“Luotong?”
“I’m here!”
“If you know, then speak up!”
“As you command!” Luotong gathered his thoughts and replied respectfully, “Your Majesty, the yield of sweet potatoes is astonishing! Initially, there were only a hundred jins of seed. After a few months of planting, I harvested more than a thousand jins! Later, I realized my planting methods were not optimal. If entrusted to the palace gardeners, the yield could be even higher!”
“A hundred jins turning into a thousand jins...”
Such an incredible yield was rarely seen!
“Congratulations, Your Majesty. With these sweet potatoes, we no longer have to fear the great clans!” Zhangsun Wuji exchanged meaningful glances with Li Shimin.
The implication was clear.
He wanted Li Shimin to ask Li Zhi for the sweet potato seeds.
“Ahem... let’s not be hasty!” Li Shimin also had the same intention but had previously promised Li Zhi not to ask for anything else. How could he go back on his word, especially in front of Li Zhi?
He had to set an example of keeping promises.
“Zhi’er, you still haven’t told your father why you came to the Imperial Study. Was it really just for sweet potatoes?” Li Shimin hinted, trying to fish for more.
But Li Zhi gave him no chance.
“Your Majesty, I intend to rally the people of Hongnong County to cultivate these sweet potatoes. Then we can buy them at market prices. Is that acceptable?”
“Of course, of course...” Li Shimin had no reason to disagree.
He was eager for this to happen.
Zhangsun Wuji added, “Planting in just one county seems too trivial. Why not promote it nationwide? If every household had sweet potatoes, they could replace millet, and famine would no longer be a worry. Then, what threat could the great clans pose to the court? We’d triumph without battle!”
“Zhi’er, what do you think...” Li Shimin said, wearing a flattering expression.
***
“Heh!”
“No wonder Minister Zhangsun is responsible for clan affairs but manages it so poorly. You can’t even sense this fatal danger. Perhaps it’s time to step aside and let a capable person take over!” Li Zhi retorted bluntly.
Zhangsun Wuji was stunned.
What just happened?
Was that aimed at me? I haven’t offended the little devil recently!
“I’m not sure what danger Your Highness means. Please enlighten me!” Zhangsun Wuji composed himself, intending first to understand the matter clearly before striking back hard at Li Zhi. After all, as head civil official, he couldn’t be belittled like this without losing all authority.
Li Shimin and Luotong watched the exchange with interest.
Li Zhi paced back and forth, then said, “Minister Zhangsun, you advocate spreading sweet potatoes nationwide. Let’s put aside whether I have enough seeds—if I do, once they enter the hands of the people, the great clans might seize them, which could cause endless problems. It would be quite easy for them to obtain seeds, wouldn’t it?”
“Well...”
“Anything, once widely disseminated, loses its value. Take commerce, for example. If I have something and you don’t, it’s precious and can surprise the market. Why does the ‘Immortal Wine’ sell for such high prices and why do merchants fight over it? Because I have exclusive rights! If everyone, including the enemy, had it, would it still be ‘Immortal Wine’? The same applies to sweet potatoes.”
Having finished, Li Zhi glanced at Zhangsun Wuji and smiled lightly. “Many people never grasp this truth in their lifetimes. I, Your Highness, am giving it to you freely—no charge!”
Zhangsun Wuji’s face flushed red with embarrassment.
He had no reply.
Li Shimin was quite surprised. “I didn’t expect such words from a mere four-year-old!”
“I am humbled!” Zhangsun Wuji admitted defeat outright.
He finally understood why the old man Fang Xuanling always complained. Arguing with Li Zhi gained him no advantage—only humiliation.
“Hahaha...”
“Then it’s settled!” Li Shimin declared. “Have the Secretariat draft the decree, and the Ministry of Revenue execute it. All the lands of Hongnong County will be entrusted to Zhi’er for management!”
“As you command!”
Just scolded, Zhangsun Wuji dared not obstruct.
Nor did he have the face to ask for sweet potato seeds.
He could only obediently follow orders.
Luotong whispered a reminder, “Your Highness, do not forget the secrecy of the cultivation.”
“Oh, right...” Li Zhi cupped his hands respectfully. “Father, I have one more request. Could General Cheng disperse the troops across Hongnong counties, ostensibly to assist with farming but actually to block key roads and prevent unauthorized entry? This way, our sweet potato planting remains secret. It would also serve as a covert check against the great clans!”
***