"I cannot receive benefits without merit; I shall walk there myself. As for the ceremonial escort from Your Majesty... I ask this esteemed officer to inform His Majesty that Xu Qing's visit concerns a matter of life and death for the common people of the realm, and is not for personal glory at court."
The ceremonial officer dared not delay and hurriedly went back and forth. However, when he returned, he wore an expression close to tears:
"His Majesty has said that if no one boards the imperial carriage, I will be stripped of my rank, and those welcoming the Saint Master will also be punished for neglecting his honor."
"..."
Ha! Xu Qing was displeased at that moment.
To invite me and to coerce me are two different matters.
This little plump sovereign really has gotten addicted to playing tricks, repeatedly resorting to these schemes against him. Does he think Xu Qing is as easy to manipulate as the Wu brothers?
"Did His Majesty truly say that if no one gets on the imperial carriage, you will be punished for neglecting?"
"Indeed, it is true!"
"Very well! Lord Crow, you shall ride the imperial carriage!"
What?
Lord Crow was dumbfounded, and the ceremonial officer didn't react either.
When they came to their senses, Xu Qing had already forcibly pushed Lord Crow onto the carriage.
"Oh my! How can this be appropriate? Isn't this madness?"
"Whom do you accuse of madness? Could it be you think I'm being mad?"
"No, no! How dare I..."
The ceremonial officer looked forlorn, twisting his face as he waved to the escort team, sighing deeply while pondering where to seek a livelihood after he retired to his hometown.
Miserable indeed!
On the carriage, Lord Crow was equally at a loss.
Where am I? How did I end up entering the palace for an audience?
This is no audience; the Sect Leader is clearly pushing a crow into the spotlight!
The black crow had already thought it through. When the Emperor sees him, he will certainly issue an order to have him torn apart by five horses, and at that moment, who knows if the Sect Leader will be spared...
Unaware of Lord Crow's internal drama, Xu Qing calmly followed behind the carriage, seemingly detached from the matter at hand.
Before the Taihe Hall, Zhu Huai'an was filled with excitement, eagerly looking towards the ceremonial gate.
Previously, Wang Liang and others had witnessed Brother Xu's immortal presence, and Sun Mingli had personally seen Brother Xu ascend like a divine being. Such a person, if he could serve him, the Great Yan Dynasty's fate could certainly break the millennia-old tradition of dynastic change!
However, when the carriage escorting the Saint Master arrived before the hall, Zhu Huai'an did not see the figure of the Saint Master. Instead, seated on the carriage was a strange, elderly man in black.
"Uh, this old man, Xu Crow, greets Your Majesty."
The black crow stepped forward and bowed in salute.
Xu Crow? Xu what Crow? Who is Xu Crow?
Zhu Huai'an furrowed his brow. Beside him, Sun Mingli responded quickly, gesturing to call the ceremonial officer, who whispered a few words in his ear, and Sun Mingli immediately understood the situation.
He stepped hurriedly to the front of His Majesty to relay it, and only then did Zhu Huai'an learn that the old man in black was, in fact, authorized by Xu Qing to accompany him to the audience!
Zhu Huai'an, being a clever man, pondered for a moment and surmised whether this old man might be a capable minister recommended by Xu Qing. Otherwise, why would someone of unknown reputation be brought before an audience?
Thinking of this, Zhu Huai'an immediately donned a smile, took a few quick steps, and helped the black crow up.
"Aiqing, you may dispense with the formalities. Did the Saint Master accompany you, Aiqing?"
Hiding behind the carriage to seek peace, Xu Qing finally stepped forward.
"The shopkeeper of the Funeral Shop on Underground Street of Jinmen Prefecture, the owner of the Coffin Shop, the proprietor of the Paper Mache Shop, a business partner of the Incense Candle Shop, and the master at the Funeral House—Xu Qing, greets Your Majesty."
"..."
A lengthy self-introduction rendered Zhu Tianzi completely speechless for a moment.
How could one advertise even within the Imperial Palace?
Zhu Huai'an fell silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter, saying: "Xu Aiqing has done meritorious service to the state. I intend to let Xu Aiqing..."
However, before he could make any further moves, Xu Qing interrupted once more:
"Your Majesty, please listen to me first! I have a matter concerning the wellbeing of the realm's common people and the continuation of the state, even potentially impacting generations to come, to inform Your Majesty. I ask for Your Majesty's decision on this."
Seeing Xu Qing's solemn expression, Zhu Huai'an felt a chill and immediately responded earnestly: "Aiqing, please speak without reservation!"
Xu Qing smiled slightly and then reached out to draw a handful of golden seeds and two potatoes from his sleeve, presenting them forward.
Sun Mingli hurriedly brought a tray, presenting the seeds and potatoes before the Emperor's presence.
Zhu Huai'an picked up a corn kernel, puzzled, and asked: "What is this?"
Xu Qing smiled and said: "This is called corn, also known as maize. It is a high-yield crop that Xu Crow brought over the ocean after twenty years, from lands where no one has ever set foot before."
"Even planted on barren or poor soil, it can yield seven hundred catties per mu!"
"Your Majesty can treat this as foreign grain; once the maize is harvested, wheat can be seamlessly planted, and following the autumn harvest, maize can be planted again."
"Thus, the fields remain continuously productive throughout the seasons, solving the age-old problem of food shortages."
Zhu Huai'an's eyes widened, and his hand holding the corn seed trembled, even causing his heartbeat to skip a beat.
"Is what Xu Aiqing said really true?"
"Every word is true!"