TPITWOHEF

Chapter 82

"I've heard that Lord Liu's son, the Vice Minister of Personnel, has developed a new method of raising ducks called 'stuffed ducks'."

"The ducks have more meat and grow faster."

"Is this true? First, the Emperor had his ministers tend to piglets, and now a scholar is raising ducks?"

"How could it not be true! The Emperor has heard of the stuffed duck technique and is hosting an all-duck banquet today at Qiu Mountain Temple with his ministers. In addition to officials, he's providing free meals to five hundred people, and the queue stretches all the way down the mountain!"

"What?!"

The citizens of the capital were astonished.

What were they waiting for? With free food, they had to rush!

Everyone with nothing to do and free time rushed towards Qiu Mountain Temple.

What? Only five hundred spots?

No matter, just watching the spectacle would suffice.

Even before noon when the banquet started, Qiu Mountain Temple was already packed.

In the end, the Emperor's sedan chair couldn't make it up the mountain, so he had to carry Princess Chu Chu and walk up with his ministers.

Along the way, a procession of ducks hung upside down on silver hooks, escorted by guards up the mountain.

The citizens queuing at the base and the officials and commoners waiting at the top all gaped in awe.

These ducks were plump and well-rounded.

"So fat!"

Connoisseurs could tell at a glance that these were no ordinary farm-raised ducks.

These ducks had big breasts and round butts, so sturdy!

"How many pounds does each duck weigh? Is this the new method the Liu Family developed?"

"You must be joking! They take regular ducklings and in just ten days of hand-feeding, they get this fat?"

The commoners were stunned, chattering loudly, trying to understand.

The officials on the mountain, especially the Minister of Revenue, had eyes shining with greed!

He turned to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, did Liu Runnian really say that from the time they hatched, it takes less than fifty days to raise ducks this plump?"

Ordinary commoners couldn't fatten their ducks this much even if they fed them for a hundred days.

"What talent, Your Majesty! If the Minister Chen of Ministry of Works doesn't want him, the Ministry of Revenue does!"

Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Revenue managed money.

These ducks had lots of meat, clearly fat and oily, and grew quickly - perfect to sell to the foolish Wu Yun Country.

Wasn't trade about to open between them?

These ducks could make money, lots of money!

"Your Majesty, where is Liu Runnian?" Minister Jiang was ready to stand up and snatch him away.

Minister Chen of the Ministry of Works grimaced, quickly standing as well, "Minister Jiang, what does this have to do with you?"

"Is this a matter for the Ministry of Revenue?"

"The duck-raising method involves techniques and tools - whose domain is that? The Ministry of Works!"

How dare he try to poach talent?