After finishing his conversation with An Jing, the Emperor of Xiyun ordered someone to take the blueprints and have a batch of Miao knives made by the weapon smiths.
Nobles and ministers were astounded to learn that An Jing had actually invented a remarkable weapon known as the Miao knife.
Considering that An Jing was born into a farmer’s family, and almost all of An Jing’s contributions had previously been in agricultural production, they assumed that An Jing could only achieve in the realm of agriculture. In other fields, he should not have any accomplishments, yet now, An Jing had actually invented a weapon, and a fine one at that?
How could they not be astonished by this revelation?
Meanwhile, An Jing and Xiao Changyi’s An’s Rice Shop had already spread across half the territory of the Xiyun Kingdom.
The nobles and ministers, upon knowing this, could no longer remain calm, feeling that An Jing and Xiao Changyi were plotting a rebellion.
Otherwise, why would they open so many rice shops?
With so many rice shops, there must be a substantial amount of grain stored within.
However, because the Emperor held such immense affection for his adopted son Xiao Changyi, everyone dared not directly accuse Prince Yi of rebellion. They simply reported the matter of Xiao Changyi opening many rice shops across half the territory of the Xiyun Kingdom to the Emperor.
The Emperor of Xiyun sat aloft, exuding majestic imperial authority.
As he listened to the report from those below, his face showed no expression, and it remained expressionless even after they finished reporting.
Seeing the Emperor , the nobles and ministers trembled for no apparent reason, afraid to even draw a breath, and the entire great hall was as silent as death.
Su Chengyu stood among them, maintaining the dignity of the Crown Prince on his face, yet inwardly he was laughing: Of all people to accuse, they accuse my Brother Yi, just wait, they’ll get their just deserts soon.
After a long while, the Emperor finally spoke indifferently, "You say that Prince Yi has opened many rice shops. I fail to understand your point. Can anyone elaborate?"
The hearts of the nobles and ministers cried out in despair: We would have preferred if you had not spoken, as it wasn’t as terrifying as it is now.
"Why is no one speaking? Weren’t you all talking just moments ago?" After a pause, the Emperor spoke again, his tone still indifferent but chilling to the bone.
Everyone, except for Su Chengyu, dropped to their knees, crying out, "The Emperor, please calm your anger! The Emperor, please calm your anger! We are only considering the wellbeing of the Xiyun, with Prince Yi opening so many rice shops, it leaves us no choice but to be concerned!"
The Emperor remained indifferent, "What exactly are you concerned about? Speak your minds."
No one dared say a word.
After waiting a while and seeing that no one spoke, the Emperor then looked towards the Imperial Censor, "My subject, are you not normally the most outspoken? What happened today? You dare not say anything?"
Pausing a moment, the Emperor’s face darkened as he spoke sternly, "If you dare say nothing, what use are you to me?!"
The Imperial Censor immediately confessed his guilt, "Prince Yi’s status is too special, Your Majesty. I really dared not speak, I have failed Your Imperial grace, I am unworthy of being the Imperial Censor. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
The Emperor did not say whether he forgave him or not but turned to Prime Minister Li, "As the chief of all officials, you should set an example. My subject, speak for them. What were you all trying to say just now?"
In this great hall, who wasn’t shrewd?
It became clear to everyone that the Emperor was angry. They just did not know if the Emperor was angry because Prince Yi had opened so many rice shops, or because they, as his subjects, were beating around the bush with their petitions instead of offering frank advice.