Chapter 131: Continued Growth

As long as the vines grow, they can be cut, buried in the soil, and continue to sprout.

In other words…

Once the sweet potatoes are planted, he can multiply the yield countless times in just one month, for every segment of vine serves as a seed.

Doubling and redoubling, without end!

Looking at the boundless expanse of greenhouses, Li Zhi was very satisfied. "Zhao Tang, when I first transferred you here, I knew you were capable of great things. Sure enough, you have managed such a complex project so well; your future is limitless."

By praising Zhao Tang in the presence of Ministry of Personnel officials, Li Zhi was essentially labeling him a "capable minister." When vacancies arose in the Ministry of Personnel, he would certainly be tapped for appointment.

Zhao Tang was moved to tears.

He suddenly felt that all his hard work during this time had been worth it!

...

Zhangsun Wuji strolled through the fields.

Despite his keen intellect, he could not grasp the true purpose of the greenhouses.

"Do these sheds really accelerate the growth of crops?" he asked Zhao Tang.

"Yes, indeed!"

"I don't believe it," Zhangsun Wuji shook his head.

He had managed the Ministry of Revenue for several years and had seen every type of planting method imaginable. He had never heard of covering seeds to make them grow faster. It was simply preposterous.

"Childish!"

"Ignorant!"

Li Zhi routinely needled Zhangsun.

"Just because you don't understand it, does it mean it's impossible? I tell you plainly, this entire agricultural base was planted using this method. At first, there were only a few sweet potatoes and grain seeds, but now they have spread everywhere. The greenhouses played a significant role in this rapid expansion," Li Zhi said.

"Is that so?"

Zhangsun Wuji couldn't help but walk over to examine them carefully, yet he remained utterly bewildered.

Li Zhi remarked, "Forget it... it would be a miracle if that brain of yours could figure it out. Magistrate Zhao, explain it to him!"

"Yes!"

Zhao Tang said, "Lord Zhangsun may not know this, but plant growth requires not only sunlight but also warmth. Or rather, the temperature directly affects the speed of their development. The purpose of these greenhouses is to regulate temperature. If you don't mind, sir, try walking inside; the temperature is noticeably higher."

"It is indeed," Zhangsun Wuji said, doing as instructed.

He immediately understood.

"If I am not mistaken, this method must have been conceived by His Highness, the Prince of Jin, right?"

"Apart from His Highness the Prince of Jin, who else possesses such wisdom?" Zhao Tang didn't even bother to save face for Zhangsun Wuji, having completely shifted his allegiance to Li Zhi.

This detail was captured by the officials behind them, and they were all astonished.

Zhao Tang had always been valued by Zhangsun Wuji, which was why he was specifically sent to serve in Hongnong. Why, then, was his attitude toward Zhangsun Wuji now so indifferent?

What did he mean by "who else possesses such wisdom?"

Was he not including Zhangsun Wuji in that lack of wisdom?

Li Zhi chuckled, "Please, stop praising me. Such small tricks are hardly worth mentioning."

"Your Highness, there is no need to be so modest!"

"This feat benefits the country and the people; it will surely be a legacy for generations to come!" Zhao Tang turned to the officials behind him and raised his voice. "Am I not right?"

"Yes, yes, absolutely..."

Who would dare say otherwise? Unless they no longer cared for their official headwear.

Zhangsun Wuji looked back at the officials. All of them immediately wiped the sycophantic expressions from their faces.

"Once I am restored to my original position, I will settle the score with all of you!" Zhangsun Wuji thought to himself.

That gaze... it was as if he wanted to devour the obsequious officials.

"Haha... Lord Zhangsun, don't be angry. How about we go take a look at the prefectural office?" Li Zhi suggested.

"I am not angry!"

Led by Li Zhi, the group headed toward the Hongnong prefectural office.

As they passed the Yunhai Tower, Zhangsun Wuji paused to look. "Is this the Yunhai Tower?"

"That’s right. It was from here that I confiscated six million coins and completely eradicated the Su family!"

"I never imagined that General Su... that the Su family had such a large restaurant here in Hongnong..."

"Compared to your restaurants, it’s nothing," Li Zhi retorted.

"My restaurants?" Zhangsun Wuji was startled and replied timidly, "Where would I have any restaurants? They should be Your Highness's restaurants!"

"Do you really want me to say it out loud in public?" Li Zhi smiled.

"Don't! Please, don't..."

Although everyone knew about the restaurant business, speaking of it openly was entirely different from knowing it in secret. If the censorate officials found out and reported it to Li Shimin, it would cause massive trouble.

"Your Highness, I yield to you! Could you please stop catching me out?" Zhangsun Wuji leaned in and whispered to Li Zhi.

"Fine, I'll spare your reputation."

"Thank you, Your Highness..." Zhangsun Wuji exhaled in relief. This little demon was not to be offended; if he were to expose the restaurant matter one day, the consequences would be dire.

"Yuchi Baolin should be here, right?" Li Zhi suddenly remembered. He had arranged for Yuchi Jingde's son to manage the Yunhai Tower. He hadn't seen him in over a month.

Yuchi Jingde stepped forward and said, "That's right! That boy of mine has greatly improved his culinary skills..."

"I was wondering why you’ve gained a bit of weight. So you’ve been eating out every day?"

Li Zhi said speechlessly, "You didn't pay for your meals here at Yunhai Tower, did you?"

"My son cooked for me; why would I need to pay?" Yuchi Jingde looked blank.

"Him cooking for you is one thing, but... forget it, forget it. As long as you guard Hongnong well and don't let the aristocratic families take advantage of the situation, what does a little food matter? I'd even give you the Yunhai Tower!"

Li Zhi couldn't be bothered to quibble over such trifles. Compared to the agricultural base, the Yunhai Tower was just a minor asset, not worth spending much energy on.

"Is that for real?" Yuchi Jingde asked, taking it very seriously even though Li Zhi had just been speaking casually.

"What do you think?"

"Ahem..." Cheng Yaojin tugged at his sleeve and chuckled, "Are you out of your mind? It’s one thing to eat and drink for free, but you actually want the Prince’s restaurant?"

"His Highness said it himself, what does that have to do with me!" Yuchi Jingde didn't care.

Li Zhi ignored him and stepped into the restaurant.

It so happened that Yuchi Baolin was walking out with some dishes. Seeing the lineup at the door, he was dumbfounded. "Good heavens, so many high-ranking officials... Father, what is this?"

"Hurry up and prepare a private room! We've been busy all morning and are starving!"

"Yes!"

Ever since handing the Yunhai Tower over to him, Li Zhi hadn't come to inspect it. Today counted as a surprise visit, and he had to take a good look.

The interior of the restaurant had been renovated and felt much like the First Restaurant—very luxurious. The menu was also diverse, attracting countless patrons.

Based on the foot traffic at Yunhai Tower, Li Zhi silently calculated that it could probably earn several thousand coins a month. At most, no more than ten thousand!

That was already quite good. Under the circumstances of Hongnong County being under lockdown, the fact that it could still be this bustling was a miracle. Once the lockdown on Hongnong was lifted, the Yunhai Tower would surely thrive. Its status and profit-making speed would certainly be no less than that of the First Restaurant.

"Baolin, bring two bottles of wine! Also, cook a few dishes yourself and send them upstairs. I want to test your culinary skills!" Li Zhi said as he walked to the staircase, calling down.